In obvious mismatch, Clemson, SC St agree to shorten game

Clemson's Ray-Ray McCloud (34) pulls in a pass for a touchdown while covered by South Carolina State's Jason Baxter (26) and Clemson's Trevion Thompson watches during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, in Clemson, S.

Richard Shiro

September 17, 2016

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) Sixty-minute football has just turned into 54-minute football in the Clemson-South Carolina State game.

With the fifth-ranked Tigers leading 45-0 at halftime on Saturday, the coaches of both teams agreed to shorten the third- and fourth quarters from 15 to 12 minutes each.

Referee Stuart Mullins announced the change to the crowd before the second half began. A recent NCAA rule allows for games to be shortened - by time, not with a running clock - by mutual agreement of the coaches.

In 2013, two games were shortened in the second half because of lopsided scores. In those games, Louisville beat FIU 72-0 and Miami beat Savannah State 77-7.

---

AP college football website: collegefootball.ap.org

You May Like

More College Football

Sign Up for our Newsletter

Don't get stuck on the sidelines! Sign up to get exclusives, daily highlights, analysis and more—delivered right to your inbox!